CMS Prescription Drug Comment Window, SLTC Senior Living Alternative, Hospice Fraud 5-19-26
Benjamin Surmi walked us through the Senior Living Transformation Company (SLTC)’s efforts to modernize assisted living operations by integrating information technology, aiming to improve efficiency and resident care. Debbie Howard shared an article from Newsweek about the proposed CMS Medicare and Medicaid reforms to speed up drug approvals, emphasizing the need for public comments by June 15 and giving specific how to’s for submitting comments. Ellen Khalifa brought us a CBS News investigation revealing widespread hospice fraud in Los Angeles County, where fraudulent operators used fake names to bill for unnecessary end-of-life care, very negatively affecting the individuals they targeted. We discussed the importance of securing personal health information and the challenges of outdated systems, especially fax.
Presented by Benjamin Surmi, Senior Living Expert and Social Gerontologist
Senior Housing News 5-18-26 Senior Living Transformation Company (SLTC) Offers an Alternative to Operators by Tim Regan
https://seniorhousingnews.com/2026/05/18/inflection-point-senior-living-transformation-company-ready-for-expansion-with-300m-to-600m-pipeline/
Senior Living Transformation Company (SLTC)
“The company’s model serves as an alternative to operators working with real estate investment trusts (REITs) or private-equity investors. SLTC invests in senior living properties and companies to create value and alignment across ownership, operations and health care. The idea is to create a mutually beneficial arrangement for senior living community stakeholders using a model underpinned by data and technology to better care for residents.”
Note: Open up the Senior Housing News page now and it says “ask our AI anything”
Presented by Ellen Khalifa, Habits Coach for Healthspan and Wellspan
CBS News 4-21-26 Hospice Fraud Hearing Exposes Toll of Suspected Scams Congressional Hearing by Laura Geller
Article includes 3 minute video
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hospice-fraud-congress-hearing-suspected-scams/
We referred to our discussion of scams aimed at older Americans on our May 12 News for the Ages show.
Presented by Debbie Howard, Aging Matters International
Newsweek 4-15-26 Major Medicare, Medicaid Reforms Could Change Care For Millions by Sam Stevenson, Associate News Editor
https://www.newsweek.com/medicare-medicaid-reforms-change-care-millions-11831848
Post from Jon Warner about this article, which was based on some inputs from him:
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/joncwarner_health-healthcare-medicare-share-7451975849052114944-xkMM
Deadline for commenting is June 15. Please participate. Hopefully these details make it really simple for you.
‘CMS is proposing a major overhaul of how insurance plans* will approve prescription drugs, with the goal of cutting down long waits for coverage decisions. The rule would require insurers to decide urgent drug requests within 24 hours and standard request within 72 hours.’ “there has not been electronic prior authorization approvals for drugs until this proposal” (it has been paper driven).
*Prescription drug authorizations from Medicare Advantage Plans, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program and health plans sold through Affordable Care Act marketplaces as well as small group health plans participating in federal exchanges would be included.
Go directly here to this link on the Federal Register to submit.
This is a simple page to add your comment directly or by attaching a PDF.
However, note there is a dropdown to choose the category of who you are. It rather confusingly states “What is your comment about?” but that’s what they mean. I submitted as an individual. That category is “Individual I0001”
Here is my submission. Linda Sherman CMS-0062-P Comment
Main CMS Rule Page with CMS Resources Fact Sheet
Electronic Prior Authorization Overview
Linda’s ChatGPT advice on submission format
Debbie Howard’s May 29, 2026 post to send news to our community to participate in commenting.
Linda’s May 30 repost to help spread the word to get community participation in commenting on the CMS prescription drug proposal to streamline and modernize the authorization process.
Discussion hosted with commentary by: Linda Sherman, Ray Gordon and Debbie Howard
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Nickie’s Tune written and performed by Richard Sherman
